Methods and Systems for Purifying Non-Complexed Botulinum Neurotoxin

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for chromatographically purifying a  botulinum  neurotoxin are provided. These methods and systems allow for efficient purification of a non-complexed form of the  botulinum  neurotoxin in high purity and yield that can be used as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical preparations.

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/253,810, filed on Oct. 21, 2009. The contents of this U.S. Provisional Application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to chromatographic methods and systems for purifying free botulinum neurotoxin from cell cultures to produce a high purity, high potency product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, as well as other Clostridial species, such as Clostridium butyricum, and Clostridium baraffi. The toxin blocks neuromuscular transmission and causes a neuro-paralytic illness in humans and animals, known as botulism. C. botulinum and its spores commonly occur in soil and putrefying animal carcasses, and can grow in improperly sterilized or improperly sealed food containers, which are the cause of many botulism cases. Botulism symptoms can include difficulty walking, swallowing, and speaking, and can progress to paralysis of the respiratory muscles and finally death.

Botulinum toxin type A is the most lethal natural substance known to man. In addition to serotype A, six other generally immunologically distinct botulinum toxins have been characterized, namely botulinum toxin serotypes B, C₁, D, E, F, and G. The different serotypes can be distinguished by neutralization with type-specific antibodies and vary in severity of paralysis they evoke and the animal species they mostly affect. The molecular weight of the botulinum toxin protein molecule, for each of the known botulinum toxin serotypes, is about 150 kD, composed of an about 100 kD heavy chain joined to an about 50 kD light chain. Nonetheless, the botulinum toxins are released by Clostridial bacteria as complexes of the 150 kD toxin with one or more non-toxin proteins. For example, botulinum toxin type A exists as 900 kD, 500 kD and 300 kD complexes (approximate molecular weights).

Despite the known toxic effects, Botulinum toxin type A is clinically used to treat a variety of indications, including, e.g., neuromuscular disorders characterized by skeletal muscle hyperactivity. For example, BOTOX® is the trademark of a botulinum toxin type A complex available commercially from Allergan, Inc., of Irvine, Calif. Botulinum toxin type A finds use, for example, in the treatment of essential blepharospasm, strabismus, cervical dystonia, and glabellar line (facial) wrinkles Other serotypes also have been used clinically. A botulinum toxin type B, for example, has been indicated for use in treating cervical dystonia. The botulinum toxins are believed to bind with high affinity to the presynaptic membrane of motor neurons, translocate into the neuron, and thereafter block the presynaptic release of acetylcholine.

The botulinum toxin for clinical use is typically isolated from cell culture and various purification approaches have been used. Historically, the toxin is purified in complexed form by a series of precipitation and tangential flow filtration steps. See, e.g., Schantz E. J., et al., Properties and use of botulinum toxin and other microbial neurotoxins in medicine, Microbiol Rev 1992 March 56(1):80-99. Such approaches have provided relatively low yields, however, typically less than about 10%. Other approaches have used size exclusion, ion exchange, and/or affinity chromatography. See, e.g., Schmidt J. J., et al., Purification of type E botulinum neurotoxin by high-performance ion exchange chromatography, Anal. Biochem. 1986 July; 156(1):213-219; Simpson L. L., et al., Isolation and characterization of the botulinum neurotoxins, Harsman S, ed. Methods in Enzymology. Vol. 165, Microbial Toxins: Tools in Enzymology San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press; vol 165: pages 76-85 (1988); Kannan K., et al., Methods development for the biochemical assessment of Neurobloc (botulinum toxin type B), Mov Disord 2000; 15(Suppl 2):20 (2000); Wang Y. C., The preparation and quality of botulinum toxin type A for injection (BTXA) and its clinical use, Dermatol Las Faci Cosm Surg 2002; 58 (2002); and U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2003/0008367.

Still other approaches have focused on just one of the toxin's heavy or light chains, rather than a complete and biologically active botulinum toxin protein. For example, one of the chains is individually synthesized by recombinant means. See, e.g., Zhou L., et al., Expression and purification of the light chain of botulinum neurotoxin A: A single mutation abolishes its cleavage of SNAP-25 and neurotoxicity after reconstitution with the heavy chain, Biochemistry 1995; 34(46):15175-81 (1995); and Johnson S. K., et al., Scale-up of the fermentation and purification of the recombination heavy chain fragment C of botulinum neurotoxin serotype F, expressed in Pichia pastoris, Protein Expr and Purif 2003; 32:1-9 (2003). These approaches, however, require extra steps to reform a complete and biologically active botulinum toxin protein.

A more recent approach involves the use of hydrophobic interaction chromatography, mixed mode, and/or ion exchange chromatography to purify a botulinum toxin as a complex. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,452,697 and 7,354,740, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved purification methods for isolating complete botulinum toxin proteins in stable, biologically active, but non-complexed forms. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide compositions and methods addressing these and other needs.

The foregoing discussion is presented solely to provide a better understanding of the nature of the problems confronting the art and should not be construed in any way as an admission as to prior art nor should the citation of any reference herein be construed as an admission that such reference constitutes “prior art” to the instant application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems and methods for purifying a non-complexed botulinum toxin. In one embodiment, the method comprises purifying crude non-complexed botulinum toxin to obtain a purified non-complexed botulinum toxin. In this embodiment, the method comprises loading an anion exchange column with the crude non-complexed botulinum toxin to capture the non-complexed botulinum toxin on the anion exchange column; eluting the non-complexed botulinum toxin with buffer to give an eluent comprising the non-complexed botulinum toxin; loading a cation exchange column with the eluent from the anion exchange to column to permit capture of the non-complexed botulinum toxin; and eluting the non-complexed botulinum toxin with another buffer to give an eluent, thereby obtaining a purified non-complexed botulinum toxin.

In certain embodiments, the botulinum toxin complex is itself obtained by a number of chromatography steps. In some embodiments, a method for obtaining the botulinum toxin complex comprises obtaining a sample comprising a botulinum toxin complex; loading a hydrophobic interaction column with the sample to permit capture of the toxin, wherein the captured botulinum toxin comprises a complexed botulinum toxin; and eluting the complexed botulinum toxin. The non-complexed botulinum toxin is then dissociated from the complex and the non-complexed botulinum toxin is purified according to the method described above. In some embodiments, the sample is obtained by subjecting a fermentation culture comprising botulinum toxin to acid to obtain an acid precipitate, which may be subjected to additional pre-chromatography purification steps, non-limiting examples of which include tangential flow filtration to concentrate the insoluble material of the precipitate, nuclease digest, clarifying centrifugation and/or filtration.

In some embodiments, the sample is subjected to a nuclease digestion before loading on the hydrophobic interaction column. Preferably, the nuclease is derived in an animal-product-free process, and even more preferably the entire purification process is animal product free or at least substantially animal product free.

In some embodiments, the sample to be used in the chromatographic separations is preferably a supernatant or filtrate fraction.

The purified non-complexed botulinum toxin comprises at least one of botulinum toxin type A, B, C₁, D, F, F and G, and preferably a botulinum toxin type A having a molecular weight of about 150 kD. In some preferred embodiments, the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin is at least 98% pure; and/or has an activity of at least 200 LD₅₀ units/ng. In some embodiments, the method produces a yield of at least about 2 mg/L fermentation culture. In other embodiments, the method produces a yield of about 1 to about 2 mg/L fermentation culture.

These and other aspects of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a summary flow chart comparing one embodiment of a process according to the instant invention for directly purifying a non-complexed botulinum toxin (FIG. 1A) with a process for purifying a complexed botulinum toxin (FIG. 1B).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to systems and methods for purifying a non-complexed botulinum toxin. In certain embodiments, the method comprises purifying a crude non-complexed botulinum toxin by loading an anion exchange column with the crude non-complexed botulinum toxin to permit capture of the non-complexed botulinum toxin by the anion exchange column. Non-complexed botulinum toxin is then eluted with buffer to give an eluent comprising the non-complexed botulinum toxin. The eluent from the anion column is loaded on a cation exchange column to permit capture of the non-complexed botulinum toxin and the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin is eluted with buffer, thereby obtaining a purified non-complexed botulinum toxin.

In some embodiments, the invention provides for the purification of non-complexed botulinum toxin in a relatively small number of steps to produce a high yield, high purity, and high potency product. Processes and systems within the scope of the invention can be used to efficiently produce a stable but non-complexed botulinum toxin from fermentation cultures. In other embodiments, the method further comprises providing a sample comprising botulinum toxin complex and loading a hydrophobic interaction column with the sample so as to permit capture of the botulinum toxin complex by the hydrophobic interaction column. The botulinum toxin complex is then eluted from the column with buffer. Crude non-complexed botulinum toxin is dissociated from the botulinum toxin complex to obtain a mixture comprising the crude non-complexed botulinum toxin. In this embodiment, the mixture comprising crude non-complexed botulinum toxin is purified to obtain pure or substantially pure botulinum toxin according to the method described above.

One aspect of this invention is the recognition that a pharmaceutical composition comprising non-complexed botulinum toxin as an active ingredient can provide greater purity compared to one comprising a complexed form. Non-toxin proteins typically associated with a botulinum toxin complex can account for about 90% by weight of the complex. Thus, providing a botulinum toxin as a complex necessarily includes at least about 90% by weight of impurities. In other words, at least about 80 to about 90% by weight of the pharmaceutical composition will include cell-derived impurities that are not part of the active molecule nor necessary for its biological activity. Such impurities, however, represent cell-derived materials that when administered to a patient may increase the risk of unwanted immunological reactions to the drug; may increase the risk of unwanted side effects; and/or may increase the risk of transmission of pathogenic agents. In contrast, the high purity of a non-complexed product, obtainable by methods and systems described herein, reduces the amount of host cell impurities that may remain in the pharmaceutical composition, thereby reducing the attendant risks of unwanted reactions and/or transmission. Accordingly, processes and systems described herein can provide a botulinum toxin in a form more readily suited to the preparation of safer, purer pharmaceutical compositions.

Moreover, unlike complexed forms, free botulinum toxin prepared in accordance with the method described herein does not need to be stabilized for storage in blood-derived products. Botulinum toxin type A complex, for example, is typically stabilized in an excipient comprising albumin, which is derived from human blood. For example, BOTOX® consists of a purified botulinum toxin type A complex, human serum albumin, and sodium chloride packaged in vacuum-dried form. The same is true for Dysport and Xeomin. While screenings reduce likelihood of contamination with pathogenic agents, use of human blood in pharmaceutical preparations generally increases the risk of unwanted transmission of certain pathogenic agents, e.g., agents which are not or cannot yet be screened out. In contrast, free botulinum toxin prepared according to the instant invention can be stably stored, as taught herein, in ammonium sulfate. Further, in some preferred embodiments, methods and systems of the instant invention are substantially, essentially, or entirely animal product free, as discussed herein. The ability to also stably store the toxin product substantially, essentially, or entirely animal-product free, further reduces potential risks associated with animal-derived products. Accordingly, processes and systems described herein provide a botulinum toxin in a form particularly suited to pharmaceutical applications in terms of safety, e.g., where the pharmaceutical composition may be prepared and stored substantially, essentially, or entirely animal-product free.

In certain preferred embodiments, the processes and systems described herein are scalable and/or cGMP compliant. Accordingly, methods and systems described herein may be used on a commercial, industrial scale, to produce non-complexed botulinum toxin for use, e.g., in pharmaceutical compositions. A cGMP compliant process or system refers to one that can comply with the regulatory requirements for current good manufacturing practices, as required by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. In some preferred embodiments, the non-complexed botulinum toxin product is particularly suited to large scale production due to its ease of storage and usability, high activity, high purity, stability, and/or improved safety.

“Botulinum toxin” as used herein refers to a neurotoxin protein molecule that can be produced by a Clostridial bacterium, as well as recombinantly produced forms thereof. A recombinant botulinum toxin can have the light chain and/or heavy chain of the toxin protein synthesized via recombinant techniques, e.g., by a recombinant Clostridial and/or non-Clostridial species. “Botulinum toxin” is used interchangeably herein with the related expressions “botulinum neurotoxin,” “neurotoxin” or simply “toxin.” “Botulinum toxin” encompasses any of the botulinum toxin serotypes A, B, C₁, D, E, F and G, and also encompasses both complexed and non-complexed forms.

By “complexed form” is meant a botulinum toxin complex comprising a botulinum toxin protein (i.e., the toxin molecule with a molecular weight of about 150 kD) as well as at least one associated native non-toxin protein. Non-toxin proteins that make up the complexes typically include non-toxin hemagglutinin protein and non-toxin non-hemagglutinin protein. Thus complexed forms may comprise a botulinum toxin molecule (the neurotoxic component) and one or more non-toxin hemagglutinin proteins and/or one or more non-toxin non-hemagglutinin proteins. In certain embodiments, the molecular weight of the complex is greater than about 150 kD. For example, complexed forms of the botulinum toxin type A can have molecular weights of about 900 kD, about 500 kD or about 300 kD. Complexed forms of botulinum toxin types B and C₁ can have a molecular weight of 500 kD. Complexed forms of botulinum toxin type D can have a molecular weight of about 300 kD or about 500 kD. Finally, complexed forms of botulinum toxin types E and F can have a molecular weight of about 300 kD.

“Non-complexed” botulinum toxin refers to an isolated, or essentially or substantially isolated, botulinum toxin protein having a molecular weight of about 150 kD. That is, “non-complexed” forms exclude non-toxin proteins, such as non-toxin hemagglutinin and non-toxin non-hemagglutinin proteins, normally associated with the complexed form. “Non-complexed” botulinum toxin is used interchangeably herein with “free” botulinum toxin. All the botulinum toxin serotypes made by native Clostridium botulinum bacteria are synthesized by the bacteria as inactive single chain proteins which are then cleaved or nicked by proteases to become neuroactive. The protein comprises an about 100 kD heavy chain joined by a disulfide bond to an about 50 kD light chain.

Botulinum toxin complexes can be dissociated into toxin and non-toxin proteins by various means, including, for example, raising the pH to about 7.0, treating the complex with red blood cells at a pH of about 7.3, and/or subjecting the complex to a separation process, such as column chromatography in a suitable buffer at a pH of about 7 to about 8.

The instant invention encompasses systems and methods that enable purification of a non-complexed botulinum toxin, without associated non-toxin proteins conventionally believed necessary during the purification process to maintain stability. In preferred embodiments, the methods and systems described herein facilitate purification of the free botulinum toxin without loss of stability. By “stability” or “stable” is meant that the botulinum toxin protein molecule retains both the about 100 kD heavy chain and the about 50 kD light chain, joined to each other by a disulfide bond, and in a conformation that allows for biological activity.

In some embodiments, a particular system within the scope of the present invention is operated in conjunction with a particular method within the scope of the present invention. A system within the scope of the present invention can comprise a plurality (preferably consecutive series) of chromatography columns for use with a corresponding plurality (preferably consecutive series) of chromatography steps. Further, a system within the scope of the instant invention may comprise a plurality (preferably a consecutive series) of non-chromatography devices, such as filtration and/or centrifugation apparatus, for use with a corresponding plurality (preferably consecutive series) of non-chromatography steps, e.g., as pre-chromatography steps.

In preferred embodiments, a process within the scope of the present invention comprises obtaining a sample comprising botulinum toxin from a fermentation culture; subjecting it to a number of pre-chromatography purifications; and then passing it through a plurality of chromatography columns to obtain a highly purified, highly potent non-complexed botulinum toxin. Such a purified free botulinum toxin finds use in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the free botulinum toxin as an active ingredient.

The overall steps for both pre-chromatography and chromatography processes for some preferred embodiments of the instant invention are illustrated in FIG. 1A. For comparison, FIG. 1B shows a conventional method for obtaining purified botulinum toxin complex. Briefly, FIG. 1B depicts a process involving depth filtration of a fermentation culture, followed by tangential flow filtration of the filtrate obtained (using 300 kD ultramicrofiltration); followed by a clarifying centrifugation step. The pellet (insoluble fraction) resulting from the centrifugation step is then re-suspended in sodium chloride, and loaded onto a hydrophobic interaction or ion exchange column. The chromatographic purification step is repeated at least three times to give a final eluent containing the 900 kD botulinum toxin type A complex.

Fermentation and Acid Precipitation

As FIG. 1A illustrates, the non-complexed botulinum toxin is generally purified from a fermentation culture. A “fermentation culture” as used herein refers to a culture or medium comprising cells, and/or components thereof, that are synthesizing and/or have synthesized at least one botulinum toxin. For example, Clostridial bacteria, such as Clostridium botulinum, may be cultured on agar plates in an environment conducive to bacterial growth, such as in a warm anaerobic atmosphere. The culture step typically allows Clostridial colonies with desirable morphology and other characteristics to be obtained. Selected cultured Clostridial colonies then can be fermented in a suitable medium as a fermentation culture. The cultured cells may include non-Clostridial species as the host cells, such as E. coli or yeast cells, that are rendered capable of biosynthesizing a botulinum toxin by recombinant technology. Suitable fermentation culture conditions can depend on the host cells used and are generally known in the art.

In preferred embodiments, fermentation may be allowed to progress to completion, such that cells are mature and have biosynthesized a botulinum toxin. Growth of Clostridium botulinum cultures is usually complete after about 24 to about 36 hours. After a certain additional period of time, the bacteria typically lyse and release into the medium the synthesized botulinum toxin complex in a complexed form. For example, during a fermentation of about 60 to about 96 hours, most Clostridium botulinum cells undergo lysis and release botulinum toxin type A complex.

In some embodiments, the fermentation culture can comprise one or more animal products, such as animal proteins, used in conventional fermentation culture procedures. For example, botulinum toxin can be produced by anaerobic fermentation of Clostridium botulinum using a modified version of the well known Schantz process (see e.g. Schantz E. J., et al., Properties and use of botulinum toxin and other microbial neurotoxins in medicine, Microbiol Rev 1992 March; 56(1):80-99; Schantz E. J., et al., Preparation and characterization of botulinum toxin type A for human treatment, chapter 3 in Jankovic J, ed. Neurological Disease and Therapy. Therapy with botulinum toxin (1994), New York, Marcel Dekker; 1994, pages 41-49, and; Schantz E. J., et al., Use of crystalline type A botulinum toxin in medical research, in: Lewis G E Jr, ed. Biomedical Aspects of Botulism (1981) New York, Academic Press, pages 143-50, each incorporated herein by reference). Both the Schantz and the modified Schantz process for obtaining a botulinum toxin make use of animal products, including animal-derived-Bacto-Cooked Meat medium in the culture vial, and casein in the fermentation media. Additionally, the Schantz toxin purification makes use of DNase and RNase from bovine sources to hydrolyze nucleic acids present in the fermentation culture.

However, administration of a pharmaceutical containing an active ingredient that was purified using a process involving animal-derived products can subject a patient to a potential risk of receiving various pathogenic agents. For example, prions may be present in a pharmaceutical composition comprising contaminating animal-derived products, such as the prion responsible for Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. As another example, there is a risk of transmitting a spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), such as a bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) when animal products are used in the process of making a pharmaceutical composition. The use of a botulinum toxin obtained via processes free of animal products, however, reduces such risks. Therefore, in some preferred embodiments, the invention provides a process that is free of animal products, or essentially or substantially animal-product-free (APF). “Animal product free”, “essentially animal product free”, or “substantially animal product free” encompasses, respectively, “animal protein free”, “essentially animal protein free”, or “substantially animal protein free” and respectively means the absence, essential absence, or substantial absence, of products derived from animals, non-limiting examples of which include products derived from blood or pooled blood. “Animal” is used herein to refer to a mammal (such as a human), bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, insect, spider or other animal species, but excludes microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeasts.

An animal-product-free process (or a substantially or essentially animal product-free-process) refers to a process that is entirely, substantially, or essentially free of animal-derived products, reagents and proteins, such as immunoglobulins, other blood products, by-products, or digests; meat products, meat by-products, meat digests; and milk or dairy products, by-products or digests. Accordingly, an example of an animal-product free fermentation culture procedure is a fermentation process, such as bacterial culturing, which excludes blood, meat, and dairy products, by-products, and digests. An animal-product-free fermentation process for obtaining a non-complexed botulinum toxin reduces the possibility of contamination with viruses, prions or other undesirable agents, which can then accompany the toxin when administered to humans.

Animal-product-free fermentation procedures using Clostridium cultures are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,452,697 and 7,354,740, hereby incorporated by reference. For example, the growth media for production of the botulinum toxin may comprise vegetable-based products, instead of animal-derived products, such as soy-based products and/or the debittered seed of Lupinus campestris. Soy-based fermentation media for use in an animal product free fermentation culture, for example, can comprise a soy-based product, a source of carbon such as glucose, salts such as NaCl and KCl, phosphate-containing ingredients such as Na₂HPO₄ and KH₂PO₄, divalent cations such as iron and magnesium, iron powder, amino acids such as L-cysteine and L-tyrosine, and the like. Preferably, the soy is hydrolyzed soy and the hydrolyzation has been conducted using enzymes not derived from animals. Sources of hydrolyzed soy include but are not limited to Hy-Soy (Quest International), Soy peptone (Gibco) Bac-soytone (Difco), AMISOY (Quest), NZ soy (Quest), NZ soy BL4, NZ soy BL7, SE50M (DMV International Nutritionals, Fraser, N.Y.), and SE50MK (DMV).

As FIG. 1A illustrates, in certain embodiments a sample comprising botulinum toxin is obtained from a fermentation culture. For example, after a certain period of fermentation, in either animal product free or non-animal product free media, botulinum toxin complex is released into the medium and can be harvested by precipitation. For example, in some embodiments, as in the well-known Schantz process, the fermentation medium comprising the botulinum toxin may be subjected to acid precipitation to encourage the botulinum toxin complexes to associate with cell debris and form an acid precipitate. In some particularly preferred embodiments, about 3 M sulfuric acid solution may be added to the fermentation culture to form the acid precipitate. Preferably, the pH is reduced to about 3 to about 4, more preferably to about 3.2 to about 3.8, and even more preferably about 3.5. In some embodiments, the culture temperature is also reduced, e.g., to about below 25° C., 24° C., 23° C., 22° C., 21° C., or 20° C. These conditions further enhance the association of botulinum toxin complexes with cell debris. The acid precipitate formed will comprise bound botulinum toxin complexes and can be used as the starting material in further purification steps, such as clarification steps; whereas the filtrate is discarded.

In contrast, the conventional process depicted in FIG. 1B does not include an acid precipitation step. That is, while the purification procedure also begins with a fermentation culture comprising a botulinum toxin complex, the culture medium is subjected to depth filtration, and the filtrate, rather than the cell debris, is used in subsequent purification steps. In the FIG. 1B process, the cell debris is discarded, rather than the filtrate, whereas, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the filtrate is discarded and the cell debris (acid precipitate) is used for further purification steps, e.g., in the pre-chromatography purifications discussed below.

Pre-Chromatography Purifications

In some embodiments, the sample obtained from the fermentation medium is subjected to one or more pre-chromatography purifications. Pre-chromatography purifications can include at least one of tangential flow filtration, nuclease digest, and clarifying centrifugation and/or filtration. A non-limiting example of a process flow containing pre-chromatography purification contemplated by the invention is provided in FIG. 1A. As noted above, in preferred embodiments, the pre-chromatography procedures are carried out on a precipitate (or insoluble fraction) of a fermentation culture comprising the botulinum toxin, rather than on the fermentation culture itself or on a filtrate derived therefrom, as in the process illustrated in FIG. 1B. That is, in preferred embodiments of the invention, pre-chromatography (clarification) steps start with the acid precipitate (insoluble fraction).

In some embodiments, the sample (acid precipitate or insoluble fraction) comprising a botulinum toxin is subjected to tangential flow filtration. Tangential flow filtration is a process typically used to clarify, concentrate, and/or purify proteins. In contrast to normal flow filtration, where fluid moves directly towards a filter membrane under applied pressure, in tangential flow filtration, the fluid moves tangentially along, or parallel to, the surface of the membrane. Applied pressure serves to force a portion of the fluid through the filter membrane, to the filtrate side, while particulates and macromolecules too large to pass through membrane pores are retained. Unlike normal flow filtration, however, the retained components do not build up at the membrane surface but are swept along by the tangentially flowing fluid. In certain preferred embodiments, tangential flow filtration is used to concentrate the insoluble material (cell debris) with which the botulinum complex is associated, while permitting filtrate to pass through the membrane pores. (See, e.g., FIG. 1A.) Tangential flow filtration parameters, such as pore size, feed flow, applied pressure, and the like, may be selected by those of skill in the art to concentrate cell debris and to produce a more concentrated sample comprising the botulinum toxin complex. In some particularly preferred embodiments, for example, tangential flow filtration with filters having a pore size of about 0.1 μm may be used.

In some embodiments, the sample comprising a botulinum toxin is subjected to nuclease digestion. Nuclease digestion can facilitate removal of nucleic acid components with which the Botulinum toxin complexes tend to associate. In certain preferred embodiments, nuclease digestion follows tangential flow filtration and is carried out on the concentrated cell debris obtained therefrom. (See, e.g., FIG. 1A.) For example, the concentrated cell debris sample may have its pH adjusted to allow nuclease activity and may be incubated with one or more suitable nucleases, such as DNases and/or RNases that digest (hydrolyze) DNA and/or RNA, respectively. Depending on the nuclease enzyme used, suitable pH may be about 5 to about 7, preferably about 6. In some embodiments, benzamidine is used as a protease inhibitor to prevent proteolysis of the toxin during nuclease digestion step. The nuclease used may be derived from any suitable source, including animal sources and/or non-animal sources.

In more preferred embodiments, the nuclease is obtained from a non-animal source, to provide an animal-product-free nuclease and an animal-product-free process. Accordingly, the instant invention encompasses animal-product-free processes and systems (or substantially or essentially animal product free processes and systems) for purifying botulinum toxin which comprise use of a nuclease. An animal-product-free nuclease may be made recombinantly, e.g., using recombinant bacteria, yeasts, or other suitable microorganisms, which have been transformed to express a DNase and/or RNase for use in a nuclease digestion step according to processes described herein. Nuclease digestion typically reduces the nucleic acid content of the sample, as the host cell nucleic acids are degraded and their removal is facilitated. For example, hydrolyzed nucleic acids and other low molecular weight impurities can be removed by further purification steps.

In certain embodiments, the sample comprising a botulinum toxin may be subjected to clarifying centrifugation and/or filtration. Clarifying centrifugation or filtration refers to centrifugation or filtration steps used to remove gross elements, such as whole and lysed cells and cell debris, from the sample, resulting in a measurably clearer sample. In certain embodiments, the centrifugation is performed at about 10,000×g to about 30,000×g, more preferably at about 15,000×g to about 20,000×g, and most preferably at about 17,700×g. Clarifying filtration will typically comprise normal flow filtration, also called “dead end” filtration, where fluid is moved directly toward a filter media under applied pressure, and particulates too large to pass through the filter pores accumulate at the surface or within the media itself, while smaller molecules pass through as the filtrate. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the sample is mixed with ammonium sulfate and normal flow filtration is performed using a filter with a pore size of about 0.1 to about 0.3 μm, and more preferably a pore size of about 0.2 μm. (See, e.g., FIG. 1A.) In certain particularly preferred embodiments, one or more clarifying step(s) follow the nuclease digestion step. In certain still more preferred embodiments, one or more clarifying step(s) immediately precede purification by chromatography.

Notably, in preferred embodiments, the clarified supernatant or filtrate provides the botulinum toxin-containing sample for use in further purification steps, such as the chromatography purification steps, rather than the insoluble fraction, which is discarded. This is in contrast with the process outlined in FIG. 1B, where the botulinum toxin complex is contained in the insoluble fraction from pre-chromatography steps that do not involve acid precipitation, such as e.g., as a centrifugation pellet, obtained from pre-chromatography centrifugation, and the supernatant is discarded.

Moreover, and again in contrast with the process outlined in FIG. 1B, the pre-chromatography steps in some embodiments of the invention do not require a tangential flow filtration step of a filtrate obtained from fermentation culture. That is, the sample used for chromatography purification in some embodiments of the invention is not obtained by subjecting a soluble fraction of the fermentation culture to tangential flow filtration. Rather, in certain embodiments, the present invention uses insoluble material (such as an acid precipitate), eliminating any step where a fermentation culture filtrate is subjected to tangential flow filtration in an attempt to concentrate soluble botulinum toxin complexes. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the pre-chromatography steps of the invention eliminate the need for any such step, by instead using acid to precipitate the desired toxin complexes with other insoluble material (cell debris).

Chromatography Purification Steps

FIG. 1A also illustrates chromatographic purification steps according to certain embodiments of the instant invention. According to one embodiment of the invention, chromatographic methods for purifying a non-complexed botulinum toxin comprise passing a sample comprising botulinum toxin through a plurality of chromatography columns to obtain a highly purified, highly potent, non-complexed form of the neurotoxin.

In certain embodiments, a complexed botulinum toxin is separated from other cellular components using a hydrophobic interaction column (see e.g., FIG. 1A). This column captures the botulinum toxin in complexed form, while allowing impurities to flow through the column. The column used may be any hydrophobic interaction column known in the art suitable for such purpose, such as Butyl Sepharose Fast Flow column or Phenyl Sepharose HP, commercially available from GE Healthcare Life Sciences. In some embodiments, the method further comprises conditioning the sample for hydrophobic interaction chromatography before loading onto the column. For example, for use in the Phenyl Sepharose HP column, the sample may be combined with a 0.5M ammonium sulfate solution at pH 6, and 50 mM phosphate before loading. Other columns, buffers and pH conditions that may be used include columns such as Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow high substitution, Phenyl Sepharose Fast Flow low substitution, Butyl Sepharose, and Octyl Sepharose; buffers such as acetate, citrate, MES, histidine, piperazine, and malonate, each in the pH range of about 4.0 to about 7.0, more preferably about 4.5 to about 6.5, and even more preferably about 5.5. Other buffer and pH conditions may be determined to optimize yield from a particular column used, as known in the art, based on the teachings provided herein. Without wishing to be bound to theory, it is believed that separation involves binding of the toxin complex to resin at a pH below 7, to avoid dissociation at this step, while allowing many cell-derived impurities to flow through, such as, e.g., smaller proteins, nucleic acids, and the like.

For eluting the captured (bound) toxin from the hydrophobic interaction column, a suitable buffer can be used, as known in the art. In some particularly preferred embodiments, a descending gradient of ammonium sulfate is used. The concentration range of the descending gradient may be from about 0.6 M to about 0.0 M, about 0.5 M to about 0.0 M, or about 0.4 M to about 0.0 M. Other eluting buffers that may be used include, for example descending gradients of sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄); sodium chloride (NaCl); potassium chloride (KCl); ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc); and the like. Fraction(s) containing a product peak can be identified, as known in the art. The peak fraction is typically found, e.g., when using ammonium sulfate, in a concentration range of about 0.4 M to about 0.0 M; more preferably about 0.3 M to about 0.0 M; and most preferably about 0.25 M to about 0.0 M ammonium sulfate, while the pH is kept at about 6 to maintain the complex. That is, the fraction(s) containing the eluted botulinum toxin complex can be identified and used in subsequent purification steps.

In preferred embodiments, the botulinum toxin complex obtained is caused to dissociate to give a non-complexed form. In certain preferred embodiments, the dissociation step is performed after the hydrophobic interaction chromatography step and/or before subsequent chromatography steps (e.g., see FIG. 1A). Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the instant invention encompasses methods and systems where the chromatographic target molecule differs from one chromatographic step to another. That is, in an initial chromatographic step, the target comprises a botulinum toxin complex, whereas in subsequent chromatographic steps, the target comprises the free botulinum toxin, dissociated from non-toxin proteins such as hemagglutinin and non-hemagglutinin proteins. In contrast, the process outlined in FIG. 1B involves chromatography steps that are all designed to purify botulinum toxin complexes.

Dissociation of the botulinum toxin complex to produce the non-complexed botulinum toxin protein may be achieved in a number of ways, e.g., as known in the art and/or described herein. For example, dissociation may be achieved by raising the pH to about 7.0; or, in embodiments in which animal protein free purification is not necessary, treating the complex with red blood cells at a pH of about 7.3.

In a preferred embodiment and to provide animal free toxin, the complex is subjected to a separation process based on adjustment pH of the complex in a suitable buffer Suitable buffers include, but are not limited to, cationic buffers, preferably cationic buffers that will not interact or will not substantially interact with the anion exchange column. Suitable cationic buffers include, e.g., Tris, bis-Tris, triethanolamine, N-methyl diethanolamine. A pH of between about 7 to about 8.4; more preferably between about 7.4 to about 8.2; and most preferably a pH of about 7.8 is typically suitable for dissociating the complex to release the non-complexed botulinum toxin. In some particularly preferred embodiments, for example, the pH of the eluent of the hydrophobic interaction column is raised to about 7.5, about 7.8, or preferably to about 8.0. For example, in some embodiments, the eluent may be diluted into a Tris buffer having a pH of about 7.8 to cause the complex to dissociate into individual components, including the about 150 kD non-complexed botulinum toxin protein. The resulting mixture comprising dissociated components can then be subjected to one or more additional chromatography purification steps, such as ion exchange chromatography steps designed to capture and further purify the non-complexed toxin.

In certain embodiments according to the invention, the non-complexed botulinum toxin may be purified using one or more ion exchange chromatography steps, (e.g., see FIG. 1A). Ion exchange chromatography achieves fractionation based on electrostatic charge. The extent to which a given protein binds to the column matrix is a function of the protein's net charge, based on its individual amino acid composition and the charge of the column matrix. Cationic ion exchange columns have net positive charged matrix whereas anionic ion exchange columns have a net negative charged matrix. Bound proteins can be selectively eluted from the column using a solvent (the eluant) containing a charged substance, such as salt ions, which competes with the charged matrix support for binding to the charged proteins. Bound proteins can be thus fractionated on the basis of the strength of their charge. Alternatively, proteins may be eluted by adjusted the pH which may alter the net charge of the protein thereby altering its affinity to the charged matrix.

According to some preferred embodiments of the invention, the mixture comprising non-complexed botulinum toxin is loaded onto an anion exchange column (e.g., see FIG. 1A). Notably, this column captures the botulinum toxin in non-complexed form, such that the toxin protein and dissociated non-toxin proteins can be eluted in separate fractions. The column used may be any anion column known in the art suitable for separating charged proteins, non-limiting examples of which include Q Sepharose HP, Q Sepharose Fast Flow, or Q XL Sepharose, commercially available from GE Healthcare Life Sciences. In some particularly preferred embodiments, a Q XL Sepharose column is used. In some embodiments, the method further comprises conditioning the mixture comprising the non-complexed botulinum toxin for anion exchange chromatography before loading onto the column. For example, buffer and pH conditions may be determined to optimize yield from the particular column used, as known in the art, based on the teachings provided herein. For loading and use in the column, e.g., suitable buffers include, but are not limited to, cationic buffers, preferably cationic buffers that will not interact or will not substantially interact with the anion exchange column. Suitable cationic buffers include, e.g., Tris, bis-Tris, triethanolamine, N-methyl diethanolamine. For loading and equibrilating the column, a pH of between about 7.2 to about 8.6; more preferably between about 7.4 to about 8.2; and most preferably a pH of about 7.8 may be used.

For eluting the captured (bound) toxin and other dissociated components from the anion exchange column, a suitable buffer can be used, as known in the art. Examples of suitable buffers include, for example, sodium chloride (NaCl); and potassium chloride (KCl). In some particularly preferred embodiments, an ascending gradient of sodium chloride is used. For example, a sodium chloride buffer having a concentration range from about 0.0 M to about 0.4 M NaCl, more preferably from about 0.0 M to about 0.5 M NaCl, and even more preferably about 0.0 M to about 0.6 M NaCl may be used. Impurities separated in different fractions may include, e.g., one or more non-toxin proteins of the dissociated complex, such as, the non-toxin hemagglutinin and/or non-toxin non-hemagglutinin proteins. Fraction(s) containing a product peak can be identified, as known in the art. The peak may occur, for example, at about 8 mSem to about 22 mSem at a pH between about 7.4 to about 8.4, and preferably at about 7.8, corresponding to about 0.08 M to about 0.18 M NaCl. Conversely, other impurities may elute at about 30 to about 45 mSem, corresponding to about 0.25 M to about 0.35 M NaCl.

The fraction(s) containing the eluted non-complexed botulinum toxin can be identified to provide an eluent comprising a non-complexed botulinum toxin. The peak may be identified by methods as known in the art, e.g., using HPLC, western blot analysis, ELISA, non-reduced SDS-PAGE, and the like. SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions, for example, can identify the about 150 kDa toxin band, whereas other impurities will appear at bands corresponding to smaller molecules. This eluent comprising a non-complexed form may then be subjected to further chromatographic purification steps.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, toxin purity is assessed by SDS-PAGE. As the skilled artisan will appreciate, SDS-PAGE analysis can be conducted in the absence or presence of agents that cleave disulfide bonds present in the protein (i.e., non-reducing or reducing conditions, respectively). For example, with respect to botulinum toxin type A, the mature and active form of the botulinum toxin type A protein molecule is comprised of two polypeptide chains of 100 kD and 50 kD, respectively, which are held together by non-covalent interactions as well as a disulfide bond. When botulinum toxin type A produced by the inventive process is assayed using non-reducing conditions, the botulinum toxin type A protein molecules migrate as a single protein band of approximately 150 kD and the measured purity is typically greater than 98%. When the botulinum toxin type A protein amount loaded per gel lane is held to be within the dynamic range of the densitometer, then there are few, if any, detectable impurity bands resulting in a measured purity of 100%. When the type A botulinum toxin is overloaded such that the main toxin band is above the dynamic range of the densitometer, then some minor impurity bands may be detectable (as much as 1-2%).

However, when the SDS-PAGE analysis of botulinum toxin type A is conducted under reducing conditions, then the disulfide bond of the botulinum toxin is cleaved and the botulinum toxin type A protein migrates as two components having molecular weights of 100 kD and 50 kD, respectively. When the botulinum toxin type A protein is loaded such that the main species are above the dynamic range of the densitometer and the SDS-page is run under reducing conditions then minor impurity species can be more easily detected. For instance, under these conditions there may be as much as 5% of the 150 kD species present due to incomplete proteolytic processing during the fermentation and recovery process. Under these conditions the inventive process yields a toxin product (comprised of the active, cleaved 100 kD and 50 kD polypeptide chains) that is typically greater than 90% of total protein and more likely greater than 95% of total protein. Thus, the reported measured purity of the toxin depends on the details of the SDS-PAGE method employed, as described herein. Furthermore, while the foregoing example concerns botulinum toxin type A, the skilled artisan will appreciate that the SDS-PAGE analysis described herein can be readily adapted to assess the purity of other serotypes of botulinum toxin.

In certain embodiments, the eluent from the anionic column comprising non-complexed botulinum toxin is loaded onto a cation exchange column (see, e.g. FIG. 1A). Notably, this column also captures the botulinum toxin in non-complexed form, such that the toxin protein and dissociated non-toxin proteins can be eluted in separate fractions. The column used may be any cation column known in the art suitable for separating proteins, non-limiting examples of which include an SP Sepharose column, including SP Sepharose HP or SP Sephrose Fast Flow; a Mono S column; or a Source-S column, such as a Source-30S column, or preferably a Source-15S column, both commercially available from GE Healthcare Life Sciences. In some embodiments, the method further comprises conditioning the eluent from the anionic exchange columns comprising non-complexed botulinum toxin for cation exchange chromatography before loading onto the column. In some preferred embodiments, the pH is adjusted so that the pH of the eluent being loaded on the column allows for efficient binding of the free toxin to the column. For example, the pH can be maintained within a range of from about 4 to about 8, preferably from about 5 to about 7.5, more preferably from about 6 to about 7, and most preferably at about 7. Further, in some embodiments, the eluent from the anionic column can be treated to reduce conductivity before loading onto the cation exchange column, e.g., using a sodium phosphate buffer, a non-limiting example of which is a sodium phosphate buffer of about 20 mM NaH₂PO₄. For example, the eluent from the anionic column may contain as much as about 0.15 M NaCl, so that diluting in an about 20 mM NaH₂PO₄ buffer reduces conductivity. In some specific embodiments, conductivity is reduced from about 12 mSem to about 3.3 mSem. Dilution in buffer, dialysis or other methods known in the art also may be used to reduce the conductivity.

For loading and use in the column, e.g., suitable buffers include, but are not limited to, anionic buffers, preferably anionic buffers that will not interact or will not substantially interact with the cationic exchange column. Suitable anionic buffers include, e.g., as MES, HEPES, and the like, and preferably sodium phosphate buffer. For loading and equibrilating the column, a pH of between about 4 to about 8; preferably between about 5 to about 7.5; more preferably from about 6 to about 7; and most preferably a pH of about 6.8 to about 7 may be used.

For eluting the captured (bound) toxin from the cation exchange column separately from other dissociated non-toxin proteins and other impurities, a suitable buffer can be used, as known in the art. In some particularly preferred embodiments, an ascending gradient of sodium chloride is used. A suitable concentration range for the sodium chloride gradient may be from about 0.0 M to about 1 M NaCl. Other salts that may be used include, e.g., potassium chloride, that may be used at a concentration gradient of about 0.0 M to about 0.5 M KCl. Fraction(s) containing a product peak can be identified, as known in the art. The peak may occur, for example from about 18 to about 25 mSem, corresponding to about 0.3 M to about 0.4 M NaCl, at a pH of about 6.7. That is, the fraction(s) containing the eluted non-complexed botulinum toxin can be identified to provide an eluent from the cationic column comprising non-complexed botulinum toxin. In particularly preferred embodiments, the eluent from the cationic column represents a non-complexed botulinum toxin of high purity, in high yield and having high activity. In contrast, the process outlined in FIG. 1B provides a 900 kD botulinum toxin type A complex in the final eluent.

Purified Non-Complexed Botulinum Toxin Product

The methods and systems described herein are useful to provide a non-complexed botulinum toxin of high purity, in high yield, and having high activity. See Example 1 below. The product is also readily stabilized and conveniently used for the preparation of safe pharmaceutical compositions.

In some preferred embodiments, the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin is at least about 80% pure, preferably at least about 90% pure, more preferably at least about 95% pure, even more preferably at least about 98% pure, and most preferably at least about 99% pure, or even about 100% pure. “Purified non-complexed botulinum toxin” refers to a free botulinum toxin protein molecule that is isolated, or substantially isolated, from other proteins and impurities, which can otherwise accompany the non-complexed botulinum toxin as it is obtained from a culture or fermentation process. A purified non-complexed botulinum toxin that is, for example, “80% pure” refers to an isolated or substantially isolated non-complexed botulinum toxin protein wherein the toxin protein comprises 80% of total protein present as determined by or other suitable analytical methodology, non-limiting examples of which include SDS-PAGE, CE, and HPLC. For example, in some preferred embodiments, the cationic column eluent comprising the non-complexed botulinum toxin is at least about 99% pure, and contains less than about 1% of host cell proteins that are not the approximately 150 kD botulinum toxin originally present.

In some preferred embodiments, the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin has an activity of at least about 150 LD₅₀ units/ng, preferably at least about 180 LD₅₀ units/ng, more preferably at least about 200 LD₅₀ units/ng, even more preferably at least about 210 LD₅₀ units/ng, and most preferably at least about 220 LD₅₀ units/ng. One unit of botulinum toxin is defined as the LD₅₀ upon intraperitoneal injection into female Swiss Webster mice weighing about 18-20 grams each. In other words, one unit of botulinum toxin is the amount of botulinum toxin that kills 50% of a group of female Swiss Webster mice. “Activity” is used interchangeably herein with related expressions “biological activity”, “potency” and “toxicity” to described the action of a botulinum toxin.

In preferred embodiments, the non-complexed botulinum toxins obtainable by processes and systems described herein demonstrate biological activity. That is, in preferred embodiments, the biological activity or toxicity of the product is not lost upon purification in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, even though non-toxin proteins natively associated with the toxin protein are removed during purification. In even more preferred embodiments, the potency obtained using a given set of processes and parameters within the scope of the invention is consistent and/or reproducible. For example, the potency measurement can be made with less than about 40% variability, preferably less than about 35% variability, more preferably less than about 30% variability, even more preferably less than about 25% variability, and most preferably less than about 20% variability.

In some preferred embodiments, the purification process provides the non-complexed botulinum toxin in high yield. For example, the yield obtained from 30 L of a fermentation culture may be at least about 30 mg, preferably at least about 40 mg, more preferably at least about 70 mg, even more preferably at least about 80 mg, and most preferably at least about 90 mg, corresponding to a yield of at least about 1 mg/L, preferably at least about 1.3 mg/L, more preferably at least about 2.3 mg/L, even more preferably at least about 2.7 mg/L, and most preferably at least about 3 mg/L, respectively. In even more preferred embodiments, the yield obtained using a given set of processes and parameters within the scope of the invention is reproducible. For example, yield can be measured with less than about 40% variability, preferably less than about 35% variability, more preferably less than about 30% variability, even more preferably less than about 25% variability, and most preferably less than about 20% variability.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin is stable during purification using the processes and systems described herein. It has been believed that removal of associated non-toxin proteins from a botulinum toxin complex, such as botulinum toxin type A complex, results in a markedly unstable botulinum toxin product. The instant invention, however, provides methods and systems that can stably isolate free botulinum toxin, without associated non-toxin proteins conventionally believed necessary during the purification process to maintain stability, as discussed above.

In some preferred embodiments, methods and systems described herein provide a non-complexed botulinum toxin that requires very few post-chromatography steps, e.g., in terms of maintaining stability during storage, and in terms of applicability to pharmaceutical uses. For example, as known in the art, ammonium sulfate may be added to the free botulinum toxin to prepare an ammonium sulfate suspension for storage. The composition comprising free botulinum toxin and ammonium sulfate may be readily stored in a refrigerator and later can be readily retrieved for use in pharmaceutical applications. Indeed, the stability, high yield and purity, and high and consistent potency of the toxin obtainable by methods described herein facilitate pharmaceutical use of the purified product, as described in more detail below.

Uses of Purified Non-Complexed Botulinum Toxin

The non-complexed botulinum toxin purified according to this invention can be used in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions comprising the toxin as an active ingredient for administration to any subject who would receive a benefit from such pharmaceutical compositions. In preferred embodiments, the subjects to be treated are mammals, preferably humans. “Pharmaceutical composition” as used herein refers to a formulation in which an active ingredient can be a botulinum toxin. The formulation will contain at least one additional ingredient and be suitable for diagnostic, therapeutic, and/or or cosmetic administration to a subject, such as a human patient. The pharmaceutical composition can be liquid or solid; and may be a single or multi-component system, for example a lyophilized composition reconstituted with a diluent such as saline.

Another aspect of the invention provides for administration of a purified botulinum toxin molecule to a patient. “Administration” as used herein refers to providing a pharmaceutical composition to a subject or patient. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered by, any method known in the art, including e.g., intramuscular (i.m.), intradermal, intranasal, or subcutaneous administration, intrathecal administration, intracranial, intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration, or topical (transdermal) and implantation (e.g., of a slow-release device) routes of administration. In certain preferred embodiments, the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin is administered topically or by injection in compositions as described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/910,432; 10/793,138; 11/072,026; 11/073,307, 11/824,393, and 12/154,982, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In certain embodiments, compositions comprising non-complexed botulinum toxin in an ammonium sulfate suspension can be readily compounded into a pharmaceutical composition. For example, an ammonium sulfate suspension comprising non-complexed botulinum toxin protein can be centrifuged to recover the protein and the protein can be re-solubilized, diluted, and compounded with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition may comprise a non-complexed botulinum toxin as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, and may further comprise one or more buffers, carriers, stabilizers, preservatives and/or bulking agents. The pharmaceutical compositions may be lyophilized to powder for storage, and re-constituted for further use. Accordingly, processes and systems described herein can provide a botulinum toxin in a form particularly suited to pharmaceutical applications terms of ease of preparation.

The pharmaceutical composition may find use in therapeutic, diagnostic, research and/or cosmetic applications. For example, as discussed above, botulinum toxin type A is clinically used to treat neuromuscular disorders characterized by skeletal muscle hyperactivity, such as essential blepharospasm, strabismus, cervical dystonia, and glabellar line (facial) wrinkles. Moreover, in certain applications, non-complexed (about 150 kD) botulinum toxin is the preferred form for treating humans. See, e.g., Kohl A., et al., Comparison of the effect of botulinum toxin A (Botox®) with the highly-purified neurotoxin (NT 201) in the extensor digitorum brevis muscle test, Mov Disord 2000; 15(Suppl 3):165. Accordingly, certain botulinum toxin pharmaceutical compositions are preferably prepared using non-complexed botulinum toxin, as opposed to a botulinum toxin complex.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Comparison of Inventive Process with a Modified Schantz Process

Purifications of non-complexed botulinum toxin type A using processes within the scope of the instant invention (‘inventive process“) were directly compared to purifications based on the traditional Schantz approach, further modified by the addition of chromatographic steps to provide the non-complexed form (Modified Schantz process”). Briefly, Clostridium botulinum bacteria were cultured and allowed to grow until fermentation was complete (usually about 72 to about 120 hours from inoculation to harvest). A volume of 30 L of the fermentation culture then was used in each of the following purification procedures.

The modified Schantz process used involved typical acidification of the fermentation culture to precipitate the toxin, followed by ultramicrofiltration (UF) and diafiltration (DF) to concentrate the raw toxin. DNase and RNase were added to the harvested toxin to digest (hydrolyze) nucleic acids, which were then removed by an additional UF step, using tangential flow filtration (300 kD UF). The toxin was next extracted with phosphate buffer, followed by three sequential precipitation steps: cold ethanol precipitation; hydrochloric acid precipitation, and ammonium sulfate precipitation, where the supernatants each time were normally discarded. This procedure provided a 900 kD botulinum toxin type A complex, which was then subjected to additional chromatography steps to provide the free toxin. Specifically, the toxin complex was resolubilized and subjected to negative batch adsorption onto a DEAE resin. The eluent was then run on a gravity flow anion exchange column (DEAE-Sepharose), followed by a gravity flow cation exchange column (CM-Sepharose). Yield was determined, the length of time the process took was recorded (not counting the fermentation period), and the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin type A was measured for purity by SDS-PAGE analysis and assayed for potency, e.g., by techniques known to those skilled in the art. The entire modified Schantz process was repeated for three different lots, lot numbers 1, 2 and 3, and the results recorded in Table 1 below.

The inventive process was used with three different lots, lot numbers 4, and 6, in accordance with systems and methods described herein. Briefly, the fermentation culture was subjected to acid precipitation using 3M sulfuric acid to reduce pH to 3.5, at a temperature below 25° C. The acid precipitate was then subjected to 0.1 μm tangential flow filtration to concentrate cell mass. The pH then was adjusted to 6 and nucleases added to reduce host cell nucleic acid content, followed by clarification by centrifugation to remove cell debris and dead end filtration at 0.2 μm with added ammonium sulfate. The filtrate was then directly loaded onto the hydrophobic interaction column, Phenyl Sepharose HP (GE Life Sciences), eluted with a descending gradient of ammonium sulfate, and the product peak isolated. The eluent was then diluted into Tris buffer pH 7.8 to dissociate the toxin complex, which then was loaded onto the anion exchange column Q XL Sepharose (GE Lifesciences), eluted with an ascending gradient of sodium chloride, and again the product peak collected. This eluent was then diluted in a sodium phosphate buffer (to reduce conductivity) and loaded onto either the anion exchange column, Q XL Sepharose (for lots #4 and 5), or the cation exchange column, Source-S (GE Life Sciences) (for lot #6), again eluted with an ascending gradient of sodium chloride, and a final product peak collected and stored. This process yielded non-complexed botulinum toxin type A. Yield was determined, the length of process time recorded (not counting the fermentation period), and the toxin measured for purity by SDS-PAGE analysis and assayed for potency, e.g., by techniques known to those skilled in the art. Results also recorded Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Modified Schantz Process Inventive Process Lot # 1 2 3 4 5 6 Process 10 days 4 days Time % Purity 99 n/a 97 98.6 95.3 100 Yield (30 L 11 mg 0 mg 4 mg 43 mg 99 mg 89 mg scale) Potency 255 n/a 173 259 252 250 (LD50 Units/ng)

As Table 1 indicates, there was a lot failure with respect to lot #2 in the modified Schantz process. The total lot failed giving zero yield. There was also a partial lot failure with respect to lot #3. There the failure occurred at the hydrochloric acid precipitation step, but some product was rescued from the normally discarded supernatant. The rescued product was reprocessed with a deviation step, accounting for the observed reduced yield compared with lot #1 (4 mg compared with 11 mg) and the observed reduced potency compared with lot #1 (173 LD50 units/ng compared with 255 LD50 units/ng).

With respect to the lots used with the inventive process, lot #4 showed a reduced yield, compared to lot #5 for example (43 mg compared with 99 mg) due to a chromatography system failure, involving high salt wash of a column. With the failure, there was premature elution of a portion of the toxin, resulting in the observed reduced yield, but also an observed higher purity (98.6% purity compared with 95.3% purity).

Lot #6 represents the results of a highly preferred embodiment of the instant inventive processes and systems, where a cation exchange column was used in the third chromatography step. As Table 1 indicates, this embodiment resulted in improved purity compared with lot #5 for example (100% purity compared with 95.3% purity), while high yield (89 mg compared with 99 mg) and high potency (250 LD50 units/ng compared with 252 LD50 units/ng) were maintained.

As Table 1 also indicates, the total length of the purification can be shortened in preferred embodiments of the instant invention. For example, lot #6 was purified within only 4 days, compared to the 10 days it took to purify non-complexed botulinum toxin using the modified Schantz method that involved three additional chromatography steps after the conventional Schantz method.

The results indicate that the processes and systems taught herein can be used to prepare high yields of a non-complexed botulinum toxin, at high potency and purity, and suggests that methods and systems described herein can find use in large-scale efficient purification of a non-complexed botulinum toxin suitable for use, e.g., as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical compositions.

All references including patent applications and publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

1. A method for purifying a non-complexed botulinum toxin, the method comprising: (i) providing a crude non-complexed botulinum toxin; (ii) loading the crude non-complexed botulinum toxin on an anion exchange column so as to permit capture of the non-complexed botulinum toxin by the anion exchange column; (iii) eluting the non-complexed botulinum toxin from the anion exchange column to give an eluent comprising the non-complexed botulinum toxin; (iv) loading a cation exchange column with the eluent from the anion exchange column so as to permit capture of the non-complexed botulinum toxin by the cation exchange column; and (v) eluting purified non-complexed botulinum toxin from the cation exchange column.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crude non-complexed botulinum toxin is obtained by obtaining a sample comprising botulinum toxin complex; loading a hydrophobic interaction column with the sample so as to permit capture of the botulinum toxin complex by the hydrophobic interaction column; eluting the botulinum toxin complex from the hydrophobic interaction chromatography column; and dissociating the botulinum toxin complex to obtain a mixture comprising the crude non-complexed botulinum toxin.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sample is a supernatant or filtrate comprising the botulinum toxin complex.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sample is obtained by: subjecting a fermentation culture comprising the botulinum toxin to acid precipitation to obtain an acid precipitate; and performing tangential flow filtration on the precipitate to concentrate precipitate.
 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sample is obtained by subjecting an insoluble fraction of a fermentation culture to tangential flow filtration.
 6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sample is subjected to a nuclease digestion before loading on the hydrophobic interaction column.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the nuclease is derived from an animal product free process.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is substantially animal product free.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin comprises at least one of botulinum toxin type A, B, C₁, D, F, F and G.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin comprises a botulinum toxin type A.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin is at least 95% pure.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the purified non-complexed botulinum toxin has an activity of at least 200 LD₅₀ units/ng.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method produces a yield of at least about 2 mg/L fermentation culture.
 14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the anionic column is selected from the group consisting of a Q Sepharose HP, Q Sepharose Fast Flow, and Q XL Sepharose column, and wherein the cationic column is selected from the group consisting of a SP Sepharose, SP Sepharose HP, SP Sephrose Fast Flow, Mono S, Source-S, Source-30S, and Source-15S column.
 15. The method according to claim 1 wherein a buffer for loading the non-complexed botulinum toxin onto the anionic column is selected from the group consisting of Tris, bis-Tris, triethanolamine, and N-methyl diethanolamine.
 16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the buffer is used at a pH from 7.4 to 8.2.
 17. The method according to claim 1 wherein a buffer for loading the non-complexed botulinum toxin onto the cationic column is selected from the group consisting of sodium phosphate, MES, and HEPES.
 18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the buffer is used at a pH from 6.0 to 7.0
 19. The method according to claim 1 wherein pH of the anionic column is from 7.4 to 8.2.
 20. The method according to claim 1 wherein pH of the cationic column is from 6.0 to 7.0.
 21. The method according to claim 1 wherein a gradient for eluting the non-complexed botulinum toxin from the anionic column is selected from the group consisting of an ascending gradient of sodium chloride and an ascending gradient of potassium chloride.
 22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the gradient is used at a pH from 7.4 to 8.4.
 23. The method according to claim 1 wherein a gradient for eluting the non-complexed botulinum toxin from the cationic column is selected from the group consisting of an ascending gradient of sodium chloride and an ascending gradient of potassium chloride.
 24. The method according to claim 23 wherein the gradient is used at a pH from 6.0 to 7.0. 